"We weren't told": Why most Kenyans don't join budget talks
Business
By
Graham Kajilwa
| Nov 28, 2025
A majority of Kenyans, six in 10, have never participated in the budget making process in their respective counties or at the national level.
This disinterest documented in a new report has been linked to the low levels of tax compliance in the country.
The Taxpayers Perception Survey Report by the National Taxpayers Association (NTA) and Oxfam rates engagement with contents of a Finance Bill or county government budget at 62.4 per cent.
Only 35.9 per cent of Kenyans admit to having interacted with either of the documents or processes.
“The level of public awareness, engagement and participation of citizens on fiscal processes in the country is low, hence the resistance to payment of taxes and tax evasion,” the report says.
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As a result, there is need for more initiatives from various stakeholders such as the government and civil society organisation (CSOs) to improve citizens engagement and awareness on fiscal decision-making process.
The report says this will improve their understanding on the need to pay taxes as a means for improved development and service provision.
“The majority of respondents did not participate in the Finance Bill or public consultation because they were not informed or did not know how to engage, highlighting a major communication and outreach gap,” the report explains.
Other respondents cited difficulty in attending or submitting feedback while there are those who felt disengaged or mistrustful of the process. This is because they believe their feedback would not matter or distrust the government’s use of citizen input.
“Others felt it was not their role or responsibility, while a few were uncomfortable speaking publicly,” the report says.
Rispar Simiyu, tax policy advisor at National Treasury said taxation should not be viewed as a burden but a shared responsibility.
“Trust is the foundation of any effective tax system. We must acknowledge that many citizens have questions about the fairness of the tax distribution, transparency of decision making and the visibility of public service delivery,” she said.
She noted that when taxpayers understand how and why decisions are made, and they can see tangible results of their contributions, trust grows naturally.
“And with trust comes voluntary tax compliance,” she said.
National Taxpayers Association (NTA) Chief Executive Patrick Nyangweso said while Kenyans recognise the importance of taxation, they also demand for fairness, transparency and visible returns on what they pay as their contribution towards national development.
He pointed out that a significant 70.7 per cent of Kenyans, as the report documents, are willing for domestic taxes to be raised instead of borrowing externally as long as the money is out into good use.
“Tax education is really wanting. Don’t meet the people only when you want them to comply,” he said. “Without appropriate tax education, there would be no sufficient compliance.”
The survey collected views from 1,369 respondents against 1,456 targeted from across 15 counties. The study sought to understand taxpayers’ attitudes and their relationship with government accountability.
“Low morale and compliance reduce revenue and reinforce overreliance on debt. Building trust and ensuring fair enforcement are thus central to sustainable domestic resource mobilisation and fiscal justice,” the report explains.